Hi,

Was wondering if Isopropyl alcohol used for things like cleaning computer CPU thermal heatsinks is any good when doing extractions? Is there a distinction between the drinkable high proof type and the cleaning agent as far extractions (not just DMT, LSA and others) are concerned?

It's hard getting any extraction chemicals in the UK, including even alcohol. If it has to be the drinkable kind, will 85-90% proof vodka do?

Thanks

well it really depends on what kind of extraction you are performing. Generally in parts of the extraction, like cleaning the end product, I will use 99.9% IPA, but NOT as an initial solvent, because it does not separate from water.

the compounds we are interested in have different solubilities in the different types of alcohols/solvents, so it does make a difference sometimes whether you use IPA, acetone, etOH or meOH. Also water content in any of these solvents might also reduce solubility for the desired compound.
For dmt extractions you will need something like naphtha, xylene or limonene - at least these are the standard solvents used here. There has been some work done with vegetable oils but I'm not sure how far these teks are. There was also a "water-only" tek some time ago but I'm not sure if this proved to work.

you will have to do some looking I assume but I know for certain that there are a few members from UK around here that do extractions, so it must be possible to get the necessary materials. Perhaps some of those can help you.

good luck
Enoon

Thanks Enoon.

I'm first planning to do an extraction of LSA from HBWR seeds because it seems simpler than mesc or DMT.

Was thinking to do a polar/non-polar type with zippo fluid and alcohol? Which one would be more appropriate here - the vodka or the isopropanol?

Cheers